Area Development News Desk

12/15/2011

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The city of Rochester, N.H., has entered into a development agreement with Safran USA to construct a 275,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility on a 50-acre site in the Granite State Business Park. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Safran Group, a global leader in aerospace, defense, and security, Safran USA - in cooperation with Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) - will utilize the site to engage in R&D and production of next-generation composite aircraft components. The companies are making a combined investment of some $100 million in building and equipment and will be co-located in the Rochester-based manufacturing facility.

In order to accommodate this development, the city of Rochester plans to expand the Granite State Business Park to double its current size, as well as provide infrastructure, including bridge access to the development site and complete utility services. New property taxes on the facility will generate enough revenue to fully cover Rochester's infrastructure investment. Vendors and suppliers are also expected to locate near the manufacturing facility. The NH Business Finance Authority is providing additional financing in support of the project's impressive economic impact as one of the state's largest manufacturing investments since the recession.

"We are very pleased to launch the construction of a manufacturing plant in Rochester, where the Safran group and AEC will combine their resources in order to produce advanced composite parts for the LEAP aircraft engines developed by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Safran and GE," said Peter Lengyel, president and CEO of Safran USA, Washington, D.C., operations.

Approximately 400 new advanced manufacturing jobs will be created by the facility. Great Bay Community College and the Community College System of New Hampshire will be providing significant training support in composite manufacturing through state and federal funding commitments that have already been approved.